Media Release
16 February 2009

Call for Pacific leaders in Manukau

Manukau City Council's Pacific Island Advisory Committee (PIAC) is inviting communities to participate in its triennial election to select new members to represent the voices of the Pacific Peoples of Manukau.

Fourteen members are required from the following communities:
• 3 Representatives - Tonga
• 3 Representatives - Samoa
• 3 Representatives – Cook Islands
• 3 Representatives – Niue
• 1 Representative - Fiji
• 1 Representative – Tokelau

The successful nominees will be required to serve on the Committee for a term of three years. The Committee serves as Manukau’s Pacific voice, a dedicated, formal channel through which the city’s Pacific communities convey their issues to the council.

PIAC representatives will be nominated and elected by each of their respective Pacific communities on the day of election during a general Pacific community meeting, says Faama Viliamu, PIAC co-ordinator. "Candidates and those who participate in the election of PIAC members must be over 18 years and live in any of the following Manukau wards – Otara, Papatoetoe, Mangere, Manurewa, Pakuranga, Howick, Botany/Clevedon.

"Also, each PIAC member is expected to be able to communicate fluently in both English and the language of the Pasifika community that they represent. They should have good community links and a strong passion to serve and champion issues that are relevant to the wellbeing and development of their Pasifika communities."

PIAC members are required to attend monthly committee meetings, workshops and be able to represent PIAC at community or council meetings.

The election details:
Date: Monday 30 March 2009
Time: 6pm to 8.30pm
Venue: Manukau Room
Civic Building
31-33 Wiri Station Road
Manukau city
(Parking provided)

For more information please contact: Faama Viliamu, T 9 262 8900 x 8469 or email faama.viliamu@manukau.govt.nz | W www.manukau.govt.nz

-ENDS-

Note to editors:
The Pacific Islands Advisory Committee (PIAC) was established by the council in October 1991 and has continued to serve as a formal link between the council and the Pacific communities of Manukau.

Current PIAC priorities are:
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs (MPIA) and Manukau City Council Memorandum of Understanding
• Increased Pacific Arts events and advocacy for a “Pasifika” style event for Manukau
• Strengthening families
• Violence free communities
• Health and wellbeing
• Inter-agency communication
• Policy on languages that strengthens capacities of Pacific people

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